Wheel bearing seal



Aug. 5, 1941.

G. M.A SCHANTZ EI'AL WHEEL BEARING SEAL Filed Feb. 3, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYS Aug. 5, 1941.

WHEEL BEARING SEAL Filed Feb. 3, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 c.. M. scHAN-rz Erm. 2,251,750

ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 5, 1941 WHEEL BEARDIG SEAL l Gordon M. Schantz and Eric Il. Schwenn, Allentown, Pa., assignors to Mack Manufacturing Corporation, Long Island City, Nl Y., a corporation of Delaware Application February 3, 1940, Serial No. 317,064

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to seals and embodies, more specifically, an improved form of seal by means of which lubricant on a moving member may be confined effectively to desired locations. f

It frequently happens that the escape oflubricant from a predetermined location gives rise to 4operating difficulties caused by the entry of such lubricant into bearings that are lubricated by a heavier lubricant, with the result that the heavier lubricant .is diluted and escapes from its desired location. An illustration of this condi/tionv will be found inwheel bearings whereina wheel is driven by means of a jack shaft received within an axle housing upon which the Wheel is journaled.` Relatively thin lubricantI from the differential and adjacent bearings tends to move outwardly along the drive shaft and escape into the region of the wheel bearing which is packed with a relatively heavy grease.

In accordance with the present invention, it is proposed t'provide an improved form of seal by means of which the escape of lubricant along a drive shaft may be prevented.

A further object of the invention is to providev an improved seal for a rear wheel'bearing by means of which lubricant from the drive shaft may be prevented from gainingl access to the Wheel bearing. .v

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved drive connection between a drive shaft and a wheel journaled on the drive shaft housing, such connection providing a mounting for a seal that prevents the movement of lubricant from the shaft to the wheel bearing. Further objects of the invention will be apparent as it is described in further detail in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a view in section, taken in a plane passing through the axis of the wheel bearing showing a seal constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 isa partial view similar to Fig.' 1 showing a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a partial view similar to Fig. 1, showing a further modification of the invention.-

With reference to the form of theinvention shown in Fig. 1, avehicle Wheel is shown at II) .as being providedwith a rim Il and other suitable elements to adapt it for motor vehicle service in accordance with general practice.

This wheel is provided with a hub I2 that is shaft I5 having an enlarged section I6 at the end thereof, adapted to be secured to a cap I1.

The cap I1 is secured to the hub portion of the wheel I0 by means of bolts I8 in order that the drive may be carried from the axle to the Wheel. The foregoing structure is in accordance with common practice.

To prevent lubricant moving along the shaft I5 from reaching the bearing I4, an improved sealing mechanism is provided in accordance with the present invention, this mechanism including afsupporting plate I9 which is secured between the cap I1 and the wheel hub I2 by the bolts I8. Gaskets 20 maybe provided in order to form a leak-proof connection and the disc I9 may be formed of 'relatively flexible material if desired. The central portion of the disc I9 is formed with a cylindrical extension 2| Within'- which there is received a seal assembly 22. 'I'he seal assembly consists of a ring 23 carried interiorly of the extension 2I and within which is received a leather or other flexible wiper 24 that engages the outer periphery 25 of an extension and rotates with the wheel against the stationjournaled upon an axialhousing I3 by means of bearings, one of which is shown at I4. Within the axial housing I3, there is provided a drive 26 formed on the housing I3. A spring 21 normally urges the wiper 24 against the surface 25,

and locating plates 28 and 29 are lprovided to maintain the spring in the desiredlocation.

Itl will be seen that'the foregoing structure provides an effective barrier or seal against movement 'of lubricant from the shaft I5 into the bearing I4. This seal is outside of the bearing I4 ary axial housing. In this location, it is readily accessible for inspection and repair and can" easily be assembled when the cap I1 is being secured in position.

A further advantage flowing from the foregoing structure residesin the fact that the concentricity of the bores is more easily maintained near the bearings than at the inner end of the shaft. Deflection under load, moreover, will not cause excessive misalignment of the parts in the region of the seal and the eiiiciency of the seal is thereby more effectively preserved and its life extended. Since the seal is carried by the removable cap, the structure is easily assembled and, rotating against the axial housing or extension thereof, it is not subject to damage by the splines during the assembly of the mechanism.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 2,

the cap I1 is .provided with an inner cylindrical supporting surface 30 upon which the seal assembly 22 is mounted.

The flexible wiper 24 of this assembly engages the outer surface of a cylindrical extension 3| carried upon a fitting l32 that is secured to the upon acylindrical extension 36 similar to thel extension 26 in the construction shown in Fig. 1.

The drive shaft is not shown in Fig. 3 inasmuch as it will be mounted and connectedto the cap I1 in a manner similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2. y l

The bearing assembly shown in Fig. 1 diiers somewhatfrom thatshown in Figs. 2 and 3. In Fig. 1 the member 28v serves to locate the wiper 24 against theouter flange of the channeled ring 23 and also with the member 29 to 'locate the springZ'I in position. In the structure shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the corresponding member 28' may assert a yielding continuous pressure against the wiper 24 to maintain it in the positions shown.

While the invention has been described with reference tothe specific structure shownl in the accompanying drawings, it is not to be limited save as deiined'in` the appended claims.

We claim: i

1.,In a wheel drive comprising an axle housing, a drive shaft in the housing, a wheel, means including a bearingto Journal the wheel on the housing and a cap connecting the drive shaft to the wheel; means -to seal the, bearing from the interior ofjsaid housing comprising a wear,

2,251,760 member, said housing beingprovided with an extension presenting a cylindrical surface closely adjacent and surrounding said shaft, means to support said wear member in position to hear radially against said cylindrical surface, and said last named means being mounted for movement with said cap.

In a wheel drive comprising an axle housing.l a drive shaft in the housing, a wheel, means including a bearing to journal the wheel on the housing and a cap connecting the drive shaft to the wheel; .means to 'seal the bearing from the interior of said housing comprising means pro- -viding a cylindrical surface on said housing disposed inwardly thereof adjacent the periphery of said shaft, a wear-member adapted to slidably engage said surface, an annular element adapted to be clamped between said cap and said wheel, and -means for mounting the wear member for movement with said annular. element and in position to bear radially against the cylindrical surface on said housing.

3. In awheel drive comprising an axle housing, a drive shaft in the housing, a wheel, means including a bearing to journal the wheel on the housing and a cap connectingthe drive shaft to the wheel; means to seal the bearing from the interior of said housing comprising means providing a cylindrical surface disposed at the end of said housing, said .cap being provided on the Y, inner side thereof with a coaxial shoulder portion, a wear member.. and means mounted on said shoulder portion to support the Wear member in position to bear radially inward against said cylindrical surface.

GORDON M. SCHANTZ. `ERIC H. SCHWENN. s 

